The Pellix, first marketed in 1965.
It was Canon's first 35mm Focal-Plane Shutter SLR Camera with TTL metering. It was
also the first commercial production SLR that was incorporated with a fixed Pellicle
mirror. It employed with a super-thin, a semi-transparent film only 20/1000 mm thick
was used as a fixed mirror. Since there was no mirror blackout, the user could see
the image at the moment of exposure. The 'QL' means 'Quick Loading'. A Canon
designed film loading method also used in other older bodies such as FT QL,
FTb QL. Similar concept was introduced in Canon AL-1 QL
(1982) and the more popular T series models from the program-only Canon T-50
in 1983 (Other T-60
in 1991).

The potential of the Pellicle mirror 'theory' was not so much emphasized at image
black out by camera designers but it solves a engineering problem at the rapid return
mirror mechanism during high speed shooting. The first high successful application
was reported the Olympic Games at Sapporo in 1972 with the Canon F-1 High Speed Motor camera developed exclusively for taking
rapidly moving subjects, and provides a shooting speed of either single, *four
to nine frames per second and it was a big hit during the games. With an additional
advantage of a viewfinder where one is able to see and track the subject all the
time.

However, the development of the full aperture metering was still not available, instead,
a stopped-down, TTL exposure meter used with 12% partial metering at the viewfinder
center. It was hailed for its accuracy and reliability. As with any current top end
camera like Canon's EOS-1n RS, or the Canon New F-1 High Speed Motor Camera or the 5 fps autofocus Canon EOS RT of 1989, the fixed pellicle mirror reduced the
amount of light reaching the film. In the case of the Pellix, it was by one-third
of a stop. Therefore an f/1.2 lens was like an f/1.4 lens and an f/1.4 acted like
f/1.7. However since the image could be viewed through the viewfinder even during
long exposure time or even during multiple flash or repeating flash setup. Further,
since there is no mirror bounce, ultra high magnification, micro or astrophotography
that required absolute vibration free operation can be a joy since you still can
view the image during long exposure time that was previously un-dreamed of in a mirror
lock up situation.

Canon's 'EOS-1n RS'
is Canon current top-of-the-line camera that also utilizes a Pellicle Mirror for
high speed photography (10 fps). There are more advantages or potential for the pellicle
mirror technologies to go further in the future, so you can rest assure the RS is
not the last model from Canon ....

Is the Pellix all about Pellicle
Mirror ? Not quite. It fact, another feature was in a form a an accessory that
shares with the Canon FT QL in 1966. It was called a "Booster". An metering
device that enhanced the metering capability of the Pellix QL and FT QL that actually
can put many of today's modern camera to shame !

To avoid confusion, the Booster is an added on accessory.
The pix at the left shown was a Pellix QL model with and without the Canon's Booster
attached.

This excellent accessory acts as a
powerful aid to the CdS photocell in registering the faintest trace of light in dim
surroundings. By attaching the BOOSTER on to either the Pellix QL and FT QL , you
can get precise readings in almost total darkness. Tests have proved the effectiveness
of this combination of CdS photocell plus BOOSTER. Pictures taken at night under
the most adverse lighting conditions proved to be as sharp and clear as daytime shots
under the best possible conditions.

What's more, the versatile
CANON PELLIX QL with BOOSTER can take film speeds from ASA 25 to an unbelievable ASA 12,800. The light-measuring range of
the PELLIX QL is increased from a low of EV-
4.5 (Minus 4.5), f/1.2
30 seconds to EV 18 with ASA 100 film compared to a low of EV 2 in most competitive
SLR cameras available during that era (I think many makers, including Canon can keep
quiet on this remark...hehe).

What this means is the Booster/Camera combination can open up for anyone to explore
such specialized fields as macrophotography, oscillography, and microphotography.
And do this without using any complex mathematical compensation or calculation on
exposure time.